Editing Pathological science (section)

==Definition==
[[Image:Irving Langmuir.jpg|right|thumb|[[Irving Langmuir]] coined the phrase ''pathological science'' in a talk in 1953.]]
Pathological science, as defined by Langmuir, is a psychological process in which a scientist, originally conforming to the [[scientific method]], unconsciously veers from that method, and begins a pathological process of wishful data interpretation {{Crossreference|(see the [[observer-expectancy effect]] and [[cognitive bias]])}}. Some characteristics of pathological science are:
* The maximum effect that is observed is produced by a causative agent of barely detectable intensity, and the magnitude of the effect is substantially independent of the intensity of the cause.
* The effect is of a magnitude that remains close to the limit of detectability, or multiple measurements are necessary because of the low [[statistical significance]] of the results.
* There are claims of great accuracy.
* Fantastic theories contrary to experience are suggested.
* Criticisms are met by [[ad hoc]] excuses.
* The ratio of supporters to critics rises and then falls gradually to oblivion.
Langmuir never intended the term to be rigorously defined; it was simply the title of his talk on some examples of "weird science". As with any attempt to define the scientific endeavor, examples and counterexamples can always be found.